Giovanni Fallo, 62, of Sarasota, has been arrested and charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Xanax), Possession of a New Legend Drug, Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon and Possession of Paraphernalia.

On February 14, 2018, Sarasota Police Officers with the Narcotics Unit and Street Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at 1200 Belleflower Street, Sarasota. The search warrant was obtained following an investigating stemming from complaints from area residents and Crimestoppers tips.

A search of the residence yielded:

· 11 two-milligram Alprazolam pills (Xanax) which Fallo did not have a prescription for

· 5 rounds of .38 caliber bullets

· 5 Viagra pills which Fallo did not have a prescription for

· 3.5 grams of marijuana

· 2 scales with residue & several cut straws with residue that tested positive for cocaine

Giovanni Fallo, 62, of Sarasota, has been arrested and charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Xanax), Possession of a New Legend Drug, Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Sheldon Phillips, 23, of Bradenton, has been arrested and charged with Vehicle Burglary and Loitering and Prowling after residents called Sarasota Police to report a suspicious person in their neighborhood Monday night.

On Monday, February 12, 2018 at approximately 10 p.m., Sarasota Police Officers were dispatched to the 2400 block of Hyde Park Street, Sarasota, in reference to a male subject trying to open doors of vehicles. Officers had multiple similar calls in the area at once.

When Officers arrived, residents said they observed a male wearing blue jeans, no shirt and a jacket attempting to break into vehicles. Officers made contact with Phillips who matched the description residents provided.

During a search incident to arrest, Phillips was found in possession of a social card in another person’s name. Officers located the owner of the social security card in the 2500 block of Jefferson Circle, where it was determined the victim’s vehicle had been burglarized. The victim’s vehicle was unlocked.

“This is a great example of law enforcement and residents partnering together to stop a crime in progress,” said Deputy Chief Pat Robinson. “As a safety reminder, we want to remind all residents and visitors in the City of Sarasota to always lock their cars and remove their valuables.”

Phillips is on probation for two counts of burglary from Sarasota County and Possession of a Controlled Substance from Manatee County. Phillips was additionally charged with Violation of Probation.

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Sheldon Phillips, 23, of Bradenton, has been arrested and charged with Vehicle Burglary and Loitering and Prowling after residents called Sarasota Police to report a suspicious person in their neighborhood Monday night.

Ryan Ward, 23, of 2515 24th Street, Sarasota, has been arrested and charged with trafficking in cocaine between 28 and 200 grams and possession of marijuana under 20 grams.

On Saturday, February 10, 2018 at approximately 1:45 a.m., Sarasota Police Patrol Officers conducted a traffic stop for a tint violation on a vehicle Ward was driving near the intersection of 17th Street and North Washington Boulevard, Sarasota. The odor of marijuana was detected and Officers asked Ward to exit the vehicle.

During a search of Ward, 32.5 grams of crack cocaine, 3.5 grams of marijuana and $1590 in cash was located and placed into property as evidence. Ward was arrested and transported to the Sarasota County Jail.

Ryan Ward, 23, of 2515 24th Street, Sarasota, has been arrested and charged with trafficking in cocaine between 28 and 200 grams and possession of marijuana under 20 grams.

Ruslan Grushco, 44, was arrested again this afternoon and charged with an additional charge of battery after a second victim came forward in this case. Grushco now has a total of two charges of battery.

Sarasota Police Detectives still believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information on this case to call Detective Kim Laster at 941-364-7327 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com

Updated booking photo of Ruslan Grushco, 44.

SARASOTA, FL – February 12, 2018 – 10:30 a.m.

Ruslan Grushco, 44, has been arrested and charged with battery following a massage session he was conducting at Massage Envy, where he was an employee at the time. Massage Envy has been cooperative in assisting Sarasota Police detectives in this case and detectives believe there may be additional victims.

The victim reported she was battered by Grushco during a massage session at Massage Envy, 1279 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Grushco told the victim he had low vision and was legally blind. The victim told detectives during her 90-minute session, Grushco lifted the sheet higher than normal. The victim also said Grushco placed his hands in areas she is not normally accustomed to during the massage session.

During the session, the victim told detectives Grushco continued to touch her inappropriately and she asked him to stop. Grushco asked the victim if she was sure she wanted him to stop and he continued to touch her inappropriately. At the end of the session, Grushco solicited the victim for her information to become a private client.

Grushco is no longer employed by Massage Envy because he solicited clients during his employment with Massage Envy which is against their policy. Additional statements have been gathered by detectives from former instructors, clients and co-workers who advised of inappropriate and unprofessional conduct involving Grushco.

Sarasota Police Detectives are partnering with the FL Department of Health on this case. Any inquiries regarding Gruscho’s license, please contact Brad Dalton, Deputy Press Secretary for the FL Department of Health at 850-245-4111 or brad.dalton@flhealth.gov. Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Detective Kim Laster at 941-364-7327 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com

To file a complaint against a healthcare practitioner or establishment in the State of Florida, please visit www.flhealthcomplaint.gov .

Ruslan Grushco, 44, has been arrested and charged with battery following a massage session he was conducting at Massage Envy, where he was an employee at the time. Massage Envy has been cooperative in assisting Sarasota Police detectives in this case and detectives believe there may be additional victims.

Traffic Unit Officers with the Sarasota Police Department are continuing their investigation into a hit and run fatality that occurred on Saturday, January 27, 2018 in the 4000 block of Fruitville Road, Sarasota, just before midnight.

Video of the vehicle Officers believe was involved in the hit and run has now been obtained from red light cameras along Fruitville Road in Sarasota. The video can be seen at https://youtu.be/kXMK7g8x0Zw

The vehicle highlighted in the video is believed to be silver, gray or blue in color with a broken right side headlight and heavy front right front-end damage. From evidence left at the scene, Officers determined a Mazda 3 Sedan made between 2004 and 2009 was the vehicle involved.

Traffic Unit Officers with the Sarasota Police Department are continuing their investigation into a hit and run fatality that occurred on Saturday, January 27, 2018 in the 4000 block of Fruitville Road, Sarasota, just before midnight.

From evidence left at the scene, Officers have determined a Mazda 3 Sedan made between 2004 and 2009 was the vehicle involved in the hit and run. The color of the vehicle is unknown at this time. Next of kin of the victim has been notified. The victim is Gisela Staino, 36, of Hialeah, Florida.

The investigation remains ongoing. Officers are searching for a Mazda 3 Sedan with right front-end damage. Attached is a photo of a similar vehicle to the one Officers are searching for. This is not the actual vehicle or the color of the vehicle involved in the hit and run. This photo shows the body style of the vehicle Officers are searching for.

Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2018 10:17 AMSubject: Hit and Run Fatality InvestigationHit and Run Fatality Investigation

Officers with the Sarasota Police Department are investigating a hit and run fatality in the 4000 block of Fruitville Road that occurred just before midnight on Saturday night.

A preliminary investigation revealed the body of a female was found in the area by a passerby. Due the evidence found at the scene, the Sarasota Police Department Traffic Unit was called out to investigate.

At this time, the next of kin of the victim has not been notified. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact Officer Tim Bales at 941-915-3635.

On Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 2 p.m., Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino will hold a swearing-in ceremony for four (4) new Officers. The ceremony will be held in the 2nd Floor Community Room at the Sarasota Police Department, 2099 Adams Lane, Sarasota.

The following Officers will join the Sarasota Police Department as 2nd Class Probation:

· Officer Paul Gagnon

· Officer Richard Greene

· Officer Grant Hudgins

· Officer Jonathan Torres

Family, friends, community members and media are welcome to attend and asked to arrive by 1:45 p.m. so the ceremony can begin on time.